Declining since 1991, #9,457 for girls today.
Popularity of Cady since 1970
Babies named Cady per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 64 |
| 1980s | 250 |
| 1990s | 1,082 |
| 2000s | 643 |
| 2010s | 278 |
| 2020s | 117 |
Meaning & origin
Cady is a name that came into sporadic use in the United States around 1970, but it remains quite rare. It reached its highest rank of 9457 in 2025, with roughly 1 in 160,727 newborns given the name. Its popularity peaked in 1992, but it has been on a declining trajectory since 1991. The name's modern recognition owes much to the character Cady Heron from the 2004 film 'Mean Girls,' though it was used occasionally before that. Cady's origins are uncertain; it may be a phonetic take on the Irish surname Casey or a creative spelling of Katie. Despite its low rank, Cady has a clean, spunky sound that appeals to parents seeking a short, distinctive name.
Cady is a name of uncertain derivation. It may be a modern phonetic respelling of the Irish surname Casey (from Gaelic Ó Cathasaigh, meaning 'descendant of Cathasach,' i.e., 'watchful' or 'vigilant'). Alternatively, it could be a variant of Katie, a diminutive of Katherine. The name gained some visibility in the late 20th century, likely influenced by the 2004 film 'Mean Girls' featuring a character named Cady Heron.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Cade, Cady
Sibling names for Cady
Names that share Cady's style, for a brother or sister.
